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Wagner Electronics Unveils Revolutionary “Sweet Spot” Technology

ROGUE RIVER, OR Dec. 19 Wagner Electronics (www.wagnermeters.com) is proud to unveil their new “Sweet Spot” Technology. This patent pending technology is the result of a year long study and investigation into lumber drying process variability conducted by the team comprised of Dr. Michael Milota, Associate Professor, Oregon State University, Ed Wagner, CEO and Vice President of Engineering, Wagner Electronics, and Tim Duncan, Research and Development Engineering Manager, Wagner Electronics. The study was conducted with four participating lumber mills spread throughout the Continental United States. Utilizing “Sweet Spot” Technology to actively control the Kiln-Drying Process enables customers to increase profit by as much as $1.2M a year depending on actual production throughput. Much of the profit recovery is due to the program’s ability to cut down on energy and time costs.

“Sweet Spot” Technology utilizes a business analytics approach to calculate and determine the best way to dry lumber; businesses are now able to reach maximum lumber profit potential by maximizing the combined value of each individual board of lumber. The “Sweet Spot” is determined by analyzing the varying cost of energy and degrade accounting for process deviations and naturally occurring moisture content distributions. A constant feedback control mechanism tracks process variations due to varying log diets and changing seasons to ensure that maximization of lumber value is constantly maintained.

In March 2009, Wagner Electronics will be hosting a Kiln Drying QC Webinar Series which will include a presentation on “Sweet Spot” Technology. This series will feature presentations from industry experts: Dr. Gavin Wallace, Geologic and Nuclear Sciences Institute of New Zealand, Dr. Michael Milota, Associate Professor, Oregon State University, Tim Duncan, Research and Development Engineering Manager, Wagner Electronics, and Catalin Ristea, Research Project Manager, University of British Columbia.

“By using “Sweet Spot” Technology to perform Statistical Process Control with a Business Analytics foundation to actively control the Kiln-Drying Process, continuous maximum productivity of the overall drying process is now a reality”, says Tim Duncan.